'Now it's nothing but junk, it's terrible'

Share this story

YAKIMA, Wash. -- You might not notice the changes at a glance, but there is progress at the old mill site in Yakima. The last few buildings are set to be demolished. But, what will become of the massive site after that?

"Every year it just gets worse and worse," said Jim Burton who passes by the mill frequently.

For more than 40 years, Burton called this piece of property his home away from home. He made a living working for Boise Cascade and says the rubble and empty buildings are disheartening.

"I'd call it wasted space, but I'd call it next to a dump," said Burton.

The so-called dump has been practically vacant for about six years. Multiple fires and a shaken economy have progress moving slowly.

"I think someone needs to take the bull by the horns and say enough is enough," said Burton.

Many believe that someone is site developer Brad Hill. He says the mill site project is complicated.

"It's not just something that happens overnight," said Hill.

Several buildings on the site have already been demolished. The developer says another will go Wednesday and the final building will be demolished before Spring.

I learned the city of Yakima declared these structures "dangerous" buildings. And while they will soon be torn down, the debris will likely linger -- continuing the eyesore.

"Now it's nothing but junk, it's terrible," said Burton.

Yakima says plans for the freeway project are moving forward. It's up to the state and federal government to determine just how fast.

Yakima was awarded matching funds by the state to improve the mill site, but lost out on more than a million dollars because of sluggish development. Yakima says bids for an environmental study on the property should go out sometime this week.